[A/N:] This was supposedly a whole, long prologue, but it got too long so I divided it into two parts. Both parts will be published at the same time. I hope you read it both and enjoy! ❤

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PART II: THE PRINCESS' WISH

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Third Person's P.O.V.

The princess rapidly looked around that she could use to distract the woman and man, and her eyes landed on the book that she was holding. Even though she was scared at the idea she came up with, she swallowed her fear and  determination filled her heart.

"Could you please do it, like, a little bit quieter?" Machi retorted as Nobunaga was hit the thick, protective glass with his sword.

"The faster I do this, the better. Besides, I've taken care of all the guards around. No one could—"

Before he could finish his statement, a book being thrown on the floor echoed around the room, and the two bandits averted their gaze towards the book dropped in front of the door.

"I thought you got rid of everyone in the vicinity?!" Machi yelled irritated, still whispering.

"I thought I did! Damn it!" Nobunaga replied as his forehead creased, obviously irked. He then walked slowly towards the book with his sword positioned in front of him. Silence filled the entire room.

Meanwhile, Zalyne has thrown the book as a distraction, and hid her presence from the two using Zetsu. Hiding among the other things and cargo boxes inside the room, she soundlessly ran around them. She managed to get behind them without being noticed, as she saw Nobunaga approaching the book that she threw.

Everything was happening according to her plan. Nobunaga was a short ranged fighter, so she needed him to be far away as possible. Now, the only problem left was Machi. She can be both short and long range, so she has to come up with a plan to counter her. Machi's back was still facing her, meaning she hadn't notice the princess yet.

Luckily, Zalyne saw a long, thick and heavy carpet beside her. She grabbed it, hastily ran towards the pink-haired woman and threw it over her. It almost took half of the silver-haired girl strength to lift and heave the carpet, but this was no time to complain.

"Ah! What is this?!" Machi exclaimed with her sight blinded by the thick carpet, as she raised her hand with threads already attached to it. Zalyne already knew that, so when the woman swinged her hand in attempt to take off the heavy carpet, it accidentally hit the glass box and broke it. The princess ducked down to avoid getting hit as the sudden noises caught Nobunaga's attention back to the plant and Machi.

Before the two could counter attack and run closer to her, she instantly put up a force field as a temporary barrier. It was weak, but it was enough to buy herself time to take the plant from the broken glass and run.

Zalyne quickly grabbed it with her barehands, gaining cuts from the many sharp glass shards. She flinched and winced in pain, but she continued to extract the herb. Once she completed doing so, the barrier broke and ran away as fast as she could.

Using the backdoor of the room, she exited and dashed out, despite having cuts on also her feet, tiny glass pieces stabbing her barefoot and flesh. She knew she couldn't outrun the fast thieves, but she wanted to atleast buy time. 'Where's Neferpitou? Did she get disposed too? No...' She worriedly thought to herself.

"Where do you think you're going?!" The angered female shouted at the other end of the hall, and she extended her steel threads to the girl, wrapping it around her body.

She fell on the ground, rolling, but embraced the important flower plant in her arms to prevent it from getting damaged. Machi walked towards the captured princess, and knelt down to snatch away the plant from her hands.

"Oi! Be careful, you're going to destroy the plant! Boss will be mad if that happens!" Nobunaga warned as he casually ran towards the pink-haired woman.

"Don't worry, I am more cautious than you are. I can't believe this...noble, slipped under your radar,"  Machi stated as she hesitantly identified Zalyne, and she kept the plant in another box. That's right, no one knew what the princess looks like. Never coming outside the palace walls, the people of Ezra Kingdom didn't know the face of their princess except the people inside, and few individuals who have entered the palace.

"No! Please, don't take that! Anything but that, please!" Zalyne shouted out as she could do nothing but beg, her eyes getting a little bit teary.

"Hey, why don't we take this royalty too? We could ask for a ransom." The samurai male suggested with a low chuckle, which was brushed off by the woman.

"We only take stuffs and goods, idiot. We don't kidnap people and all that complicated crap. That is beyond low and child's play." She responded.

"Then, what should we do with her?" He added, as Machi made the threads around the princess tighter, giving her cuts on her fair skin, her clothing ripping. Red blood oozed out of her flesh, and she screamed in pain.

"You dispose of her. I'll take this plant back to our base before anyone else arrives." The woman remarked, as her figure disappeared in the dark.

"No!! Give back that plant! I order you now to return it at once!" Despite the immense discomfort on her injuries, she continued yelling, though nonsense, hoping that someone could hear her pleas.

"Shut 'er mouth, royalty! Damn lil' child bragging about power and ordering people around." He snickered at the futile attempt of the girl to escape the threads, which only just irritated the wounds she already has. He pointed the tip of his katana on her neck, ready to chop off her head.

'Was this really the end? I wish I could've seen the forest and the sea before I die...'  Her heart beat raced in fear. She didn't want to die yet. There's so many things she wanted to try and experience. She closed her eyes tightly, slowly accepting her fate.

"Why don't you pick someone your own size, old geezer?" A voice of a boy came from above, as she felt a presence falling down above her and opened her eyes. She saw an opportunity of Nobunaga being preoccupied, and pushed herself to roll away.

The boy clashed swords with the man with his small dagger, which he had on both hands.

"Tsk. What are you doing here, Zoldyck??" The samurai male inquired, annoyed, and then continued exchanging attacks with the boy. As soon as Zalyne's eyes were once again open and could see what was happening, her gaze directly landed on her saviour's striking, silver hair. It was just like hers.

"Thought I would join the party. Too bad your partner bailed out," He jokingly remarked, and they continued attacking and blocking each other, as the sound metal clashing filled their surroundings.

"Huh, why would cat burglar like you attempt to join the big party? You're not even welcome. You belong to the streets!" Nobunaga used a skill and Nen that blew the boy away and landed beside the princess. She wanted to call out to him and ask if he was alright, but the pain from her steel wires around her was more immense.

Regardless the dreadful impact that the boy received, he still stood up and wiped the blood from his lips with his thumb.

"I'm not a cat, and I do not belong to the streets! Not anymore!" The silver-haired boy exclaimed as blue aura surrounded his whole body, and small sparks of lightning emitted from his hand. He then instantly shot an attack towards the man, but he deflected it with his blade.

It still damaged the man though, as he was pushed back from where he stood. He furrowed his eyebrows, and averted his gaze alternatively towards the princess, then the Zoldyck. After a few seconds, he took a step back and sheathed his sword.

"I don't have time for this." With that, he ran and disappeared in the dark, the same way Machi did earlier.

"What a wuss." Sour words came out of the boy's voice, and he turned his back, facing the princess. He walked towards her and severed the threads with his dagger to free her.

"There." He pulled away the threads and threw it away from the girl. As Zalyne whimpered in pain from her bruises, he noticed her arms shaking and whole body trembling. She was scared. She really thought she was going to die.

"Hey, it's okay now." He cautious tried to calm her down by putting his hand on her shoulders. Their eyes locked, and his blue orbs were enchanted by her golden ones. It later moved on the sight of her hair, which was pretty similar to his. Then, he noticed that her whole body was covered with cuts and blood was dripping out of her wounds.

The boy was hesitant at first, but seeing how hurt she was left him no choice. Exhaling deeply, he handed her a bottle of healing potion and gestured her to drink it.

"Don't worry, that's not poison. It's a healing drink, and it can help your body recover and regenerate quickly." He explained, and he sat in front of her, his legs crossed.

Zalyne had doubts, but she thought that this boy saved her life, so he wouldn't harm her, right?

"Thank you..." She gladly accepted his offer, and opened the bottle.

"Be careful not to spill it. That's expensive. I almost used up my yesterday money just to buy that. Please drink it all, no matter how it tastes." He added with worried eyes, which made her feel guilty about taking the said item.

"Oh, is that so..." She looked down at the potion again, and then diverted her gaze back at boy. She smiled mildly and caught his hand unto hers. "I appreciate this so much, young man. Thank you also for saving me. I promise I'll pay you back," She then drank the said potion with both hands, careful not to spill it.

"...You're welcome." He replied after a short pause, as they both watched the cuts slowly disappearing. He helped her stand up, and Zalyne happily twirled around as she can no longer feel any pain.

"This is amazing," She remarked with a bright smile. The princess snatched both of the boy's hand and leaned closer to him. "May I know what's your name, kind sir?" She asked.

"K-Killua," A bit embarrassed by the girl's actions, he replied as he removed his hands from her grip, and then placing one hand at the back of his head. "And stop calling me sir, I'm pretty sure we're the same age." He finally added.

"Really? Then, you're a very talented noble, for someone as young as you who can use Nen in such way!" With excitement glittering in her eyes, she was clearly ecstatic. She was hoping he could help her. This was the first time she met another person who was the same age as her and can use Nen even more powerful and efficiently.

"A n-noble? Princess, I'm sorry to break it to you, but I'm no noble, or someone with high status..." Killua trailed off, not knowing what to say to clear up the misunderstanding.

"...What do you mean? If so, what are you doing here?" Taking a step back, she questioned the silverette, as she once again examined his clothing. He was right. There was no way a noble would wear such thing.

"I-I'm just a bystander who happens to pass by and wanted to help," He crossed his arm, acting cool as he tried to come up with a reason why would a non-noble be in the vicinity of the Royal Palace.

Because in fact, he was also after the rare plant. But he didn't know that Phantom Troupe was unto that herb as well. It was Killua's first major mission that includes breaking into the palace. And he could definitely say that this mission went wrong.

"A bystander? I don't think you're just a bystander. With moves and Nen capabilities like that." The princess suddenly spoke after being silent for a few seconds and snagged the boy's wrist in her fist.

"H-Huh? What are you talking about..." He restlessly chuckled, anxious as she started to figure things out. 'Oh, crap...'  He mentally cursed.

"He called you a cat burglar, right? And you both know each other... So, you're a fellow thief, aren't you?" She stood up straight, and her golden eyes glowed as she glared at the boy. He had deep and mysterious blue eyes, which complimented his silver white hair.

"...You're quite clever and bright, for a royalty." He smirked mischievously, as he just got caught red handed. "Fine, you got me. I'm a bandit, just like them." He gave up. There was no use on trying to salvage this task. It was already over the moment he saw the Phantom Troupe members and got involved with the Princess.

"I see..." Zalyne placed her other free hand on her chin and looked down, as if she was thinking about something. Killua was getting a little uncomfortable with the princess holding his wrist so, he gently pulled his arms away to escape her grasp. But she didn't let him.

"If you really are a bandit too, am I safe to assume that you live outside the capital, and you know where the Phantom Troupe took the plant? Where their base and hideout are?" She questioned, determination filled her golden eyes.

"Um, yes?" He uncertainly replied. "Well, they change from time to time—"

"Take me to them." Her words barged into his sentence, and left the boy dumbfounded at her request.

"...What?" Was all Killua could say in response. Zalyne took a step closer, with her hands still holding his wrist and their eyes fixated on each other.

"Take me to their hideout, and help me retrieve the plant." She repeated sternly, almost like giving him an order rather than asking for assistance.

It took a minute for Killua to absorb and comprehend the woman's words, as his eyes widened at the realization and took a step backwards.

"No, no no! Are you crazy?! Or are you simply stupid?? Why would you, the princess, would go and expect me to help you get that stupid plant from those dangerous criminals?!" He retorted with a loud voice, shocked and angry.

"It's not a stupid plant..." She muttered in a small voice as she lowered her head. Her grip on Killua's wrist tightened, and instantly gazed at the boy's eyes. "That plant is important! It's important to me and my father!"

The silver-haired thief just deeply sighed and scratched his head in annoyance. "I know, but I'm not gonna get invovled with the Phantom Troupe! Look, they are a group of messy and strong people, okay? They're on a whole another level! And I'm just a normal thief who lives off the money I get from stealing, and from my clients. Get yourself a different guy. I'm not your man." He hastily unattached his wrist from her palm, as the girl then again lowered her head in response.

"...I'll pay you." She started with her fists balled. "I'll give you money more than you ever got in your whole life! So, please! Take me outside the walls and help me get that plant back! If we don't, my father is going to die. Just like how my mother did... I don't want to lose another parent. Please..." Tears started flooding out of her eyes, and she fell to her knees as she cried out.

Killua watched a princess hopelessly beg in front a commoner—much less, a thief—for a insane request, and she really left him no choice. He needed her offer. Her money. Even though it was going to be difficult, he can't ignore the money of course.

With his hands on his hips, he exhaled in defeat and walked towards the crying female.

"Okay, okay—fine. I'll take you. But it'll be expensive! So much for the princess' wish," He was on his knees as well, and patted Zalyne's head, trying to comfort her. "Stop crying." He added.

The princess looked up, relief written all over her face, as her frowning lips slowly curved up into a weak, yet happy smile. "Really?? Thank you!" With that, she unconsciously swung her arms around the male's neck and hugged him enthusiastically.

Killua's blue orbs widened in surprise, which made him fall off balance and fall down on his butt. He instinctively wrapped his arms around the girl's waist, preventing her to fall down as well.

"Ow, ow, ow..." He closed his eyes at the impact, as he whispered an expression of numbing pain on his butt. When he opened his eyes, they were both in an awkward position. Zalyne sat at his lap, and her face has gotten too close to his. The princess' golden, captivating eyes just stared at him innocently, as he can feel her warm breath on his lips. But, the bandit's mind wasn't as innocent as hers.

Instantaneously, he put down the girl beside him and stood up with his cheeks tinted pink. "A-Anyways, when are we leaving, Princess?" Hiding his embarrassed face, he looked away and crossed his arms. He heard the girl standing up, and then stood in front of him.

"Now." She simply said.

"Wait—you mean, now now?!" He responded with a stunned manner, as he wasn't expecting their journey to start this quite soon.

"Yes, now now." She grinned softly with a giggle, as she imitated the way he said those words.

Before he could even react, heavy metal footsteps can be heard from afar and startled the two teenagers.

"Hurry! Search the area! Check the treasure room as well, look for any survivors!" One of palace guards yelled his commands, and the other guards saluted in response. The girl pressed her index finger of Killua's lips, silencing him and took hold of his wrist again.

"Follow me," She whispered in a low voice, as she pulled him with silent footsteps. Zalyne knew a shortcut towards her bedroom, a hidden path that she has been using years ago. They arrived at her room undetected, and locked the doors behind them.

"What are we doing here?" Killua asked quietly, as Zalyne lets go of his wrist, and headed directly to her closet. The boy just stood in awe of the spacious and wide room that they entered. It was nothing like he's ever seen. The walls were tall, the windows were numerous and wide, and her bed was the most fanciest bed he ever laid eyes on. It looked so comfy that he almost wanted to jump unto it. Well, he expected nothing less from the princess.

He watched the girl rummaged through her things, and whipped out a bag in her hand. She shoved several clothes and other necessities in the brown bag, and zipped it close. She then now went to her drawer, and grabbed a several jewelries and gold coins. She stuffed a few on her bag's pockets, and then the princess approached the thief with the remaining riches in her hands.

"Here," Zalyne handed him her most expensive necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and 10 gold coins. His eyes widened the extravagant, valuables goods that he could surely sell for hundreds of coins. "Consider this as my prior payment, for um, the potion and saving me." She let out a delicate grin at the boy, and proceeded to fix her things again.

"O-Oh! Um, thank you? Heh, this is actually too much, but—woah! What the hell are you doing?!" As he uttered his words of gratitude, he didn't notice the girl taking off her clothes beside her closet until he looked up again, and almost saw her naked if he didn't turned his back and close his eyes in an instant. His whole face was flushed, as he did catch a glimpse of the princess' skin and the image of her in her undergarments lingered in his mind. It was given that he would feel hot and nervous.

"Huh?" The innocent princess wasn't able to understand his remark, and just continued stripping out of her ripped and dirty dress. "What do you mean? I'm going to change into new clothes, my current ones are destroyed." She simply answered. The boy facepalmed, as he tried calm himself down and explain a woman shouldn't just take off her clothes in front of a man, in her bedroom!

"In front of me?! You should've told me you were going to take off your clothes! Geez," Letting out a profound sigh, he kept the jewelries he was given on his safe pocket and sat on the ground with arms crossed.

"Oh." The girl finally realized what he meant as she put on her sandals, and stood up straight with a flushed cheeks. "I-I'm so sorry! I was so used both of my male and female servants assisting me when I change clothes..." She added as she wrapped the brown robe around her shoulders and leisurely walked towards Killua.

"Tsk. Never knew the princess was the type who could show her body to any man." He scoffed as his eyebrows creased and rolled his eyes.

"W-What?! I'm not like that!" She exclaimed with puffed cheeks, as she stomped her feet and stood in front of the aggravated boy.

"Oh, really? You're a royalty, I'm sure you view all men the same," He teased with a smirk. His assumptions were closely accurate, but there was one person—one male that Zalyne thought differently about.

"No, I don't! There is one—"

"Over there, in Her Highness' bedroom!" Cutted off her sentence, one of the palace guards caught the two as their backs can be seen in one of the windows of the room. The guard couldn't recognize Zalyne with her robe and hood on.

"Tsk." Killua groaned in frustration, and seized one of the princess' hand as they dashed out of the room. "Run!" He shouted.

"After them!" Several palace guards ran to capture them, thinking that they were the bandits that stole from the treasure room.

They kept running away from the guards, until they hit a dead end. The palace walls hindered their escape and stopped the two in their tracks.

"Damn it!" The silver-haired boy cursed as his eyes wandered around, searching for an alternative way to escape. But there was nothing.

"Killua, they're coming!" Zalyne remarked as her hand lets go of him, and walked around to find another route they could exit as well.

The boy ruffled his hair with both hands, expressing his irritation at the situation. He has no choice but to use that.

"There they are! Seize them!" A palace guarded had caught up to them, and commanded his troops to go after the two teenangers.

"Oh no! They're going to catch us!" Zalyne exclaimed, her mind going crazy at the possible outcomes if they do get apprehended.

"Princess!" Killua called out with hand held out, as he turned on his Godspeed. Her eyes widened at his new appearance, as lightning covered his whole body.

"Wha—What's happening?! What's that?!" The princess exclaimed, as her attention was divided to him and the palace guards who were running towards them becoming closer and closer. Some of the archers at the back of the troops started shooting their arrows.

"Are you afraid of heights?!" He yelled, trying to be heard amidst the noise the guards were exuding.

"Huh?!" The girl didn't hear his words, which made him repeat himself in a louder voice.

"I said, are you afraid of heights?!" He reiterated and the princess finally got his message.

"No! Why??" She responded with a confused look, and it made the boy smile daintily. He held out his hand to her and whispered in her ear.

"Just take my hand and trust me."

With that, he grabbed her hand, and rapidly pulled her close to him. He swooped her off her feet and carried her bridal style. "Hold on tight!" He noted as her arms wrapped around his neck and moved in closer to his chest.

He launched his feet and jumped extremely high—since his legs were empowered by his lightning Nen. The jump surpassed the height of the walls, and the surroundings suddenly became quiet and cold.

They were up in the sky, and the view mid-air was spectacular. Zalyne's golden eyes was open the whole time, and so even it was for a split second, she caught a glimpse of the bigger view of the Capital, and her sight went far away to where she went to be her whole life—outside the walls.

Shortly, Killua landed on the other side of the palace, and sprinted in the flash of lightning, away from her home and into the unknown.

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[A/N:] Aaaaand that's it for the prologue!💫 Yaaay💘

How was it?? Should I continue this story?

Originally, I was going to publish this after I finish my other Killua fanfic book (TBATA, or The Butler and the Assassin). But I figured having this out here while I finish the last few chapters of TBATA would be good too! 🤔💞 So, yeah here we are.

I'm still gonna see how this 2-part prologue is going to do, if people will read it and actually want it to continue xD Afterwards, I will then decide if I'm going to continue this!

Anyways, thank you for reading! Leave a vote, and a comment so I would know what'd you think of this story/chapter! 💕🤩

Have a great day, and Godbless! Stay safe always~ 😘

-Arisaa💫